Ramdas Bandu Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment and President of Republican Party of India (RPI) has asked the government to ensure that atrocities on Dalits similar to that in Gujarat’s Una should not get repeated. He also felt that Dalits should convert their religion to Buddhism. He went on to question why BSP supremo and Dailt leader Mayawati hasn’t yet converted to Buddhism “if she claims to be a true Ambedkarite”. The NDA minister also asked the vigilante cow protectors why they resort to killing human beings while protecting cows.

30-Jul-2016Politics

US asks Indian Govt to Protect Citizens amid "Rising Intolerance"

US State Department Spokesman John Kirby said during a media meet that Indian government should protect “freedom of religion and expression” and confront “all forms of intolerance”. He went on to say that they are concerned by the reports of rising intolerance and violence in India. US also asked Government of India to do “everything in its power” for protecting citizens and deliver justice, after reports surfaced that vigilante cow protectors beat up Dailts and Muslims in various parts of India. During daily press conference, White House Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz underlined the deep economic and security ties between US and India and said that US President Obama “deeply values his relationship with Prime Minister Modi”.

30-Jul-2016Politics

US dossier shows Pakistan based JeM's role in Pathankot terror attack

Documents shared by the US to India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) indicate that Pakistan-based terror group​ Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) micro-managed Pathankot IAF base attack from Pakistan. The US dossier of over 1,000 pages consist chats and conversations the 4 fidayeen attackers of the Pathankot terror attack had with their JeM handler Kashif Jaan, stationed in Pakistan. The report also said that the attackers called from the same mobile number that was reportedly connected to the Facebook account Kashif Jaan was using.

30-Jul-2016Business

PM Modi meets Cabinet Ministers on GST Bill

In an effort to firm up strategy for passing the long awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP chief Amit Shah late last night at his residence. Jaitley, while speaking to the press, said that they are keeping their fingers crossed. Reports say 30 out of the 32 parties are in favour of the bill. GST bill will be taken up in parliament for consideration and passage next week, likely on Tuesday.

30-Jul-2016Others

Arrears of Govt Employees after 7th Pay Commission to be Paid in Cash in One Installment

Finance ministry has said that the arrears of government employees and pensioners, as per the recommendations of Seventh Pay Commission, will be paid in cash in a single installment along with the salary payment for the month of August 2016. The ministry circular also said that decision has been made that arrears claims may be paid without even pre-check of fixation of pay in revised pay scales for expediting arrears disbursement.

30-Jul-2016Others

PMO asks UIDAI to speed up Aadhaar-for-all Project

With 25 crore people yet to get an Aadhaar card even after the launch of Aadhaar-for-all project in 2012, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has set up a strict deadline of March 2017. PMO has asked Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to enter 10 states and union territories (earlier assigned to Registrar General of India (RGI) that was administered by Home Ministry officials) to expedite the process.